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Fri, 13 Sep 2019 06:47:08 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.7.2We Bet You Didn’t Know How Charitable These Celebrities Are!http://thefinancialmag.com/lifestyle/bet-didnt-know-charitable-celebrities
Fri, 13 Sep 2019 02:42:50 +0000http://thefinancialmag.com/?p=36192For years now, we have known that there are many celebrities and top-earners who like to pay it forward. Stars- from the big or small screen- like to spread some kindness into the wolrd and help those around them whomay not have been given a fighting chance in the real world. While some celebs raise […]

]]>For years now, we have known that there are many celebrities and top-earners who like to pay it forward. Stars- from the big or small screen- like to spread some kindness into the wolrd and help those around them whomay not have been given a fighting chance in the real world. While some celebs raise funds for their favorite charity, there are still others who have started their own organizations, solely dedicated to help those who need it the most. Scroll on down to read about thes amazingly charitable stars who have their own foundations, just trying to a little good in the world.

Miley Cyrus is dedicated to helping homeless / LGBTQ+ youth

Miley Cyrus, the ‘Wrecking Ball’ singer, founded the Happy Hippie Foundation to support and help with resources needed by young homeless people and/or those folks who identified as LGBTQ+. As per the foundation’s website, target areas include crisis response, basic requirments, support services for people’s well-being, and awareness in public education to mobilize young people globally while bringing about change through awareness campaigns and fundraising.

Kanye West established a Foundation in his late Mom’s memory

It was reported that the Kanye West-supported Foundation had to deal with some turbulent weather recently but it was West who started Chicago-based Donda’s House in 2007, with Che “Rhymewest” Smith, his friend who is also a rapper, in Chicago to support aspiring local entrepreneurs and artists. Entertainment Tonight broke the news that the duo had a fallout over operational issues of the Foundation and that caused Smith to change its name to Art of Culture, Inc.

Matthew McConaughey encourages school students to have a healthy and active life

Matthew McConaughey believes that high school students should be encouraged to remain active and healthy and so McConaughey and Camila, his wife, started The Just Keep Livin Foundation which helps high school students to indulge in helpful and healthy behaviour. The Foundation emphasizes on 4 major aspects of wellbeing; service, fitness, wellness and nutrition to teach school-goers to take care of themselves and others around them.

Michelle Obama helps young girls get an education

The former First Lady of the US founded the ‘Let Girls Learn’ initiative in 2015 even as her husband was running the country from the White House. Her organization ties together the efforts of several government bodies such as the Department of the State and the Peace Corps to identify various obstacles that prevent girls from receiving the education they deserve; then it provides the resources to bridge that gap, incorporating available public education programs.

Eva Longoria believes in supporting her Community

The Eva Longoria Foundation took roots in 2011 when Eva decided to support and help Latinas with the necessary resources to enpower her community, enabling them to reach their full potential through entrepreneurial and educational interventions. Her work includes parental support, mentorship programs, and STEM extracurricular activities, as the major action points.

Matt Damon wants impoverished communities to have access to clean water

In 2009, actor Matt Damon with co-founder Gary White established Water.org after merging their former foundation (the H20 Africa Foundation) and hopes to eradicate poverty by providing clean water to poor communities world-over, especially in countries like Indonesia, Brazil, Uganda, and others. Water.org had provided 12 million people with clean and safe water so far.

Ashton Kutcher works to end child trafficking

Thorn, a foundation started by Kutcher and his ex-wife, actress Demi Moore actively works along with law enforcement authorities, the government and other committed foundations to wipe out child trafficking by enabling technology to stop spread of illegal activities and materials. He delivered an emotional speech at the Senate in 2017 and provided suggestions on incorporating enabling technology to the government.

Leonardo DiCaprio is helping the planet

Leo is one of the most distinguised actors in our times, and to top it all off, he is also generous and charitable, more so than most celebrities. The Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation’s work works on the major encironmental issues concerning oceanic conservation, wildlife, and climate change.

George Clooney takes a stand for war-impacted international communities

Not On Our Watch Foundation, started by Clooney, has it’s focus on human rights of various international communities, focussing on the real-life struggles of those badly impacted by war. His Foundation urges the governments of countires like Myanmar, Darfur and Zimbabwe to help their own suffering people, besides serving as advocates for under-represented people. The members of the Foundation’s Board include Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, and Don Cheadle.

]]>Celebrities Love these Great Restaurants and So Will Youhttp://thefinancialmag.com/lifestyle/celebrities-love-great-restaurants-will
Wed, 11 Sep 2019 02:20:06 +0000http://thefinancialmag.com/?p=37473Enjoying a superb meal, whipped up by a talented and well-known chef at a great restaurant is sheer ecstasy. They ensure that your favorite spot is totally worth the hype as they add a bit of gravitas to your dining-out atmosphere. A frequent diner in New York or Los Angeles is bound to rub shoulders or […]

]]>Enjoying a superb meal, whipped up by a talented and well-known chef at a great restaurant is sheer ecstasy. They ensure that your favorite spot is totally worth the hype as they add a bit of gravitas to your dining-out atmosphere. A frequent diner in New York or Los Angeles is bound to rub shoulders or dine seated close to stars and famous people, albeit several tables away. However, some restaurants attract celebs more frequently than others and here is a short list of a few famous restaurants where you could luck out.

New York City’s The Spotted Pig

Kanye West once had dinner with Taylor Swift at this West Village restaurant after their tense appearance onstage at the 2015 Grammy Awards ceremony. The Spotted Pig specializes in British and Italian cuisines, and is a favorite of A-list celebs like Jake and Maggie Gyllenhaal, Beyoncé & Jay Z and Ryan Gosling. Chef April Bloomfield makes use of seasonal ingredients, so dishes change over time. The menu is just superb but reviewers actually rave about the scallops, steak, deviled eggs, and chargrilled burger with cheese and fries.

Los Angeles’s Craig’s

This American-styled restaurant in Los Angeles is where you hope to see a famous person out for dinner. The paparazzi practically live outside its doors to snap any and all photos of Jessica Alba, Chrissy Teigen, John Legend, Meg Ryan, Angie Harmon, and Nick Jonas, who are regulars. Most diners and visitors say that the food was worth all the hype, and also gave a shout-out to the many drinks served at the bar, as you end up waiting there for your table. The consensus is to phone in and reserve yourself a table if you wish to eat here, and better make it many weeks in advance.

Boston’s Bricco

If looking to mix some celebrity sightings with your artisanal pasta, then this is the place for it. Jennifer Lawrence, Melissa McCarthy and Tom Cruise are some famous people who eat here. It’s the most authentic and traditional Italian restaurant in Boston’s North End, and among its many appetizing offerings, the pumpkin tortellini and the zucchini blossoms get extra points from reviewers.

Las Vegas’ GIADA

This Italian restaurant within The Cromwell Hotel is named after owner and chef Giada De Laurentiis, a very well-known celeb, and it regularly feeds the rich and the famous like Chelsea Handler, Phil Jackson, Tyra Banks, even famous chefs like Guy Fieri and Bobby Flay. If you’ve watched the famed chef’s work on various TV shows, you know that her pastas are delectable.

New York City’s The Polo Bar

The Polo Bar is infamously difficult to grab yourself a table at, ever since it’s opening in 2015, and yet, plenty of celebrities drop names (sometimes, even their own) to avoid being on the waiting list. Singer and actress Barbra Streisand celebrated her birthday there once, and other visitors include Bradley Cooper, Jerry Seinfeld and Sarah Jessica Parker. Most diners say the food was worth every shiny penny they paid and are ready to overlook the hassle while securing a reservation.

Miami’s Prime 112

This place hypes itself for being the first contemporary steakhouse in America, and has played host to celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio, Bill Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, Giselle Bündchen and Tom Brady. It delivered its famous 48 ounce porterhouse steak, specially for Dwayne Wade and LeBron James, who were partying at a nightclub after winning an NBA championship game for the Miami Heat.

Los Angeles’ Château Marmont

This luxury hotel is known for its elite patio dining atmosphere. Phones and photos are a strict no-no at this restaurant, in deference to the celebs such as Lady Gaga, Christopher Walken and Katy Perry, a few of the famous stars known to dine here.

]]>Your $1000 Investment with Walmart in 2009 would be Worth THIS Much Todayhttp://thefinancialmag.com/investments/1000-investment-walmart-2009-worth-much-today
Tue, 10 Sep 2019 04:03:59 +0000http://thefinancialmag.com/?p=37642Retail giant Walmart has just reported great first-quarter earnings that beat all the expectations of analysts. Their shares increased by 1.4%, closing at $101.31 after the company reported adjusted quarterly profits of $1.13 per share, 11 cents a share above prudent Wall Street forecasts. And if you had invested in Walmart a decade back that decision would have paid off […]

]]>Retail giant Walmart has just reported great first-quarter earnings that beat all the expectations of analysts. Their shares increased by 1.4%, closing at $101.31 after the company reported adjusted quarterly profits of $1.13 per share, 11 cents a share above prudent Wall Street forecasts. And if you had invested in Walmart a decade back that decision would have paid off handsomely.

A $1,000 investment made on May 16, 2009, would be worth more than $2,700 as of midday May 16, 2019, for a total return exceeding 175%, according to financial expert calculations. And over the same period, the S&P 500 Index would have returned about 227%. Sales at Walmart stores (open in the US for at least one year) climbed 3.4%, the biggest increase for the first quarter over the last nine years, according to the retail giant.

The magic behind the numbers

Analysts earlier had predicted a growth rate of 3.3% as per market trends from a financial markets data provider. E-commerce sales increased by 37%, while the growth rate was 33% last year. On the whole, Walmart shares have moved up to 18% just a year before, fixing the retailer’s cap to $290 billion. In contrast, Amazon shares grew by 19% during the same time, while stocks from Target were down 3%. While Walmart’s stock price has mostly done well over the years, any individual stock can over-perform or under-perform depending on market trends and past returns can never predict future results. The company’s revenue income has been below expectations at $123.93 billion versus $125.03 billion. Some industry experts are rather worried that the possibility of additional tariffs due to the ongoing China issues could hurt sales.

Early this week, The White House released a list of about $300 billion in goods from China that POTUS Trump could hit with punitive tariffs as high as 25%. That list includes clothing, sporting goods and other accessories. Increased tariffs will lead to increased prices for customers, as per Walmart sources but added that the company is very hopeful that an equitable agreement could be reached between the U.S. and China. As Walmart has always stated, their only goal is to be the low-price leader in consumer goods. Walmart intends to manage their margins with customers and shareholders in mind.

Adapting to the new age

Walmart has already had risk mitigation strategies which have been in place for months. The retailer has been on a money-spending spree to fulfill online orders faster, add new merchandise, and enable more stores for sorting and delivering online orders for groceries and other things. The company aims high by offering pickups for online grocery items at 3,100 stores besides same-day grocery delivery from 1,600 locations by the end of the year. Walmart has been continuing their transformative journey to become a more digital enterprise. And financial analysts and investment bankers are very optimistic about Walmart’s future, saying that Walmart’s investments in new technology and e-commerce, have positioned it well for future share gains.

If you plan to get into investing, seasoned investors such as Warren Buffett suggest starting with index funds, where an index holds all the stocks which means that they come already diversified and tends to be low cost. Further, as the indexes fluctuate depending upon market conditions, these investments are usually less risky than accumulating individual stocks for share investments.

]]>Celebrities are Raising Their Kids in Modest Environments and That’s Probably for the Besthttp://thefinancialmag.com/lifestyle/celebrities-raising-kids-modest-environments-thats-probably-best
Mon, 09 Sep 2019 04:35:49 +0000http://thefinancialmag.com/?p=37903Many celebs have achieved their star status by accident as they never aspired to become a celebrity. But for some, being a celeb has always been their ambition, for the glitz, glamour, and fame that is acquired. It’s no surprise as it signifies that they have finally ‘arrived’. It’s about fame and fortune. A swollen […]

]]>Many celebs have achieved their star status by accident as they never aspired to become a celebrity. But for some, being a celeb has always been their ambition, for the glitz, glamour, and fame that is acquired. It’s no surprise as it signifies that they have finally ‘arrived’. It’s about fame and fortune. A swollen bank account is a major perk of being a celeb and their newfound monetary freedom. But instead of being savvy and smart with their money, a lot of them end up flaunting it all over social media.

Who raises up Brats?

Most celebrities are rich and many of them are now parents, and these celebs want their kids to be just as successful. Kids are impressionable, and often copy their parents. If parents show an utter disregard for money, their kids follow suit. Many of these kids grow up spoiled, rich, entitled and bratty and some celebs realize this and move to the extreme end of the spectrum. Rather than raising their children wealthy, they choose to raise them like they are poor, in the hope that they instill sensible values in their kids who understand the importance of money. Raising children in a wealthy environment is not an easy task as privileges may get to their heads, clouding judgment on whether to work towards their own goals or live off their parents’ money. Celeb parents have ingenious ways of bringing their kids up-to-date when it comes to money matters, while instilling in them the value of hard work and the joy of earning from a venture after investing time, energy and money on. Barbara Corcoran who started with a $1,000 loan and built up a real estate empire worth $66 million, says that raising rich kids require parents to be extra careful.

Class Before School

Alex Rodriguez, CEO and ex-baseball star turns the morning ride to school into a class on business, quizzing his young daughters on stocks, real estate, and on frugality matters. It may seem easy, but always doesn’t go well with them as they get bored with everyday lessons, and opt to listen to the radio. But A-Rod is not giving up. Warren Buffet, his mentor, says teaching kids proper financial habits when young, prepares them for success later in life.

Gotta Earn It

LeBron James is the highest-earning player in the NBA and his kids will never want for anything. He and his mom lived from hand to mouth in Ohio while his children have a privileged upbringing. He admits his kids are way over the top, and will never understand about rock bottom. It’s difficult being a parent, but he sets personal challenges and goals to meet and feels his three kids have a long way before making their lives successful. LeBron, Bryce, and Zhuri must never feel that money is always available. The basketball star insists that they should earn their own living.

Kevin O’Leary, the no-nonsense “Shark,” shares a similar approach with his kids. When traveling by air, he tends to fly first class while his kids Trevor and Savannah have to fly coach. When his son asked why this is so, he was told that they do not have any money of their own. Kevin does this to teach them about the personal freedom that comes with being successful. We’re confident it’s working!

]]>How Steve Wozniak Lost His $74,000 Bitcoin Investment because of a Scamhttp://thefinancialmag.com/investments/steve-wozniak-lost-74000-bitcoin-investment-scam
Fri, 06 Sep 2019 02:40:59 +0000http://thefinancialmag.com/?p=34263Bitcoin is very “in” right now and it is just everywhere. Both ordinary individuals and business moguls have invested in bitcoin, including the Apple co-founder, Steve Wozniak. But just like common people who fall victims to fraud, Wozniak is no exception as he announced to the public recently how he got scammed and lost his […]

]]>Bitcoin is very “in” right now and it is just everywhere. Both ordinary individuals and business moguls have invested in bitcoin, including the Apple co-founder, Steve Wozniak. But just like common people who fall victims to fraud, Wozniak is no exception as he announced to the public recently how he got scammed and lost his bitcoins that have a projected value of $74,000. Even a safe and protected technology such as bitcoin appears to can still be infiltrated by scammers, and Wozniak learned this detail the hard way. And with the cryptocurrency technology being able to protect the data of buyers, such as the person or people who scammed Wozniak, getting scammed through it means that there is a small probability that you will be able to get your money back.

HOW A TECH WIZ GOT SCAMMED

Wozniak recently took part as a speaker in Economic Times of India’s Global Business Summit held in New Delhi, and it was there that he explained how the scam happened. According to the tech wiz, someone tricked him by buying some of the his bitcoins using a credit card for the purchase. However, upon the completion of the transfer of his bitcoin, a cancellation of the credit card charge was made – so Wozniak lost his bitcoins with no payment in exchange. If you are wondering how Wozniak was not able to track whoever scammed him when he is obviously a wizard when it comes to technology, well, as he explained during the summit – although bitcoin has a solid protection through the blockchain technology that recognizes who has bitcoins, fraud is still possible, as in his case. He further said that the number of bitcoins stolen from him were seven. He cannot track who scammed him because the credit card used for the purchase was a stolen one. So, unless authorities can identify who stole that credit card, Wozniak will never know who scammed him.

HE DECIDED TO LIQUIDATE HIS BITCOIN INVESTMENTS

It was just in the middle of January of this year when Wozniak spoke in the Nordic Business Forum in Sweden and discussed how he got into his bitcoin investment and why he decided to dispose of them. The co-founder of Apple narrated that he came to a decision to sell his bitcoins because he noticed that he constantly followed the ups and downs of the market of cryptocurrency, and he did not like that. Wozniak said that one of the things that keep him happy is to not having to worry about things, so he went ahead and sold most of his bitcoins, and just left a few for experimental purposes. His main reason for buying bitcoins is to try out the new payment technology, and when its value dramatically increased quickly he also wanted to get rid of them at the same speed, he did not want to become that person that kept relentless watch and just care about the numbers.

WHY DID HE INVEST IN BITCOIN?

Wozniak narrated to CNBC last year that his interest in bitcoin started when it was only worth $70 for each coin, he tried to buy some online but could not back then because a ‘special bank account’ needed to be set-up first at a ‘special bank’ (even a multi-millionaire is not exempted to this bitcoin rule back then). Ultimately he was able to purchase some when the price was at $700 for each coin. Nevertheless Wozniak’s interest in bitcoin was not because he saw it as an investment platform, but because he wanted to see how it can perform as replacement for cash and credit cards during travel.

Although Wozniak was scammed with $74,000 of bitcoins, there is no need to feel sorry for him because the tech wiz liquidated most of his bitcoin investments just recently when the market is at $10,000+ per bitcoin when he bought them for just $700 each, so his earnings is a lot greater than his losses (well, that is aside from the fact that his net worth is at $100,000). And despite being a victim of a bitcoin scam he is still a supporter of the crypto technology because it is something that the government cannot manipulate, he was quoted as saying crypto technology as being “mathematical, pure, and cannot be tainted”.

]]>It’s Not Just You, 10% Members of Congress Are Still Paying Back Student Loanshttp://thefinancialmag.com/loans-credit/not-just-10-members-congress-still-paying-back-student-loans
Wed, 04 Sep 2019 02:19:43 +0000http://thefinancialmag.com/?p=34424Over 44 million Americans collectively hold an estimated $1.5 trillion worth of student debt and virtually none are immune to this problem which also includes fragments of the Congress. The 115th Congress is reputed to be the wealthiest of all time but Roll Call, a newspaper that covers the Congressional sessions, has discovered that approximately […]

]]>Over 44 million Americans collectively hold an estimated $1.5 trillion worth of student debt and virtually none are immune to this problem which also includes fragments of the Congress. The 115th Congress is reputed to be the wealthiest of all time but Roll Call, a newspaper that covers the Congressional sessions, has discovered that approximately 10% of Congress members are also in the throes of student debt either by themselves or for a member of their family.

From the 530 polling members of the Congress, 431 are from the House of Representatives along with 99 senators, approximately 53 members have listed student loans in their financial disclosures worth $1.8 million. 28 out of the 53 members have a positive net worth and the rest are in the negative.

For example, the representative from California, Ro Khanna has provided a figure of $50,000 as student loans when he has a net worth of over $27 million primarily because of his significant tech investments and the vast family wealth of his wife. Khanna states that he has been fortunate and blessed in his life to be in a position where the loans aren’t crippling. He has also mentioned that a number of people do not have a similar opportunity.

Darren Soto, the representative from Florida, is among the 25 representatives who, according to the methodology adopted by Roll Call for creating the report “Wealth of Congress”, has an adverse net worth. He still has an outstanding loan of $75,000 and mentions that he understands the responsibility of making a repayment. He attributes his success to the education he received by attending a top law school which he claims was essential. A representative for the Congressman, has maintained that he has a positive net worth despite the outstanding loan balance.

Are Members Of the Congress Justifying Their Positions By Holding Student Loans?

Much as been spoken about how much Congress members are taking home every year and the figure is by no means a paltry one. These individuals are getting paid an estimated $176,000 per annum and therefore paying off their student loans shouldn’t have been an issue. This is particularly the case with the members who have a positive net worth.

Figures are available to show that about 25 representatives with student loans including Soto and Khanna are Democrats and the remaining 28 are Republicans. 16 members of the Congress with student loans are first-timers, but age undoubtedly isn’t the primary reason why these individuals still hold debts.

Several representatives have taken student loans to support family members and one congressman representing the Republicans is published as owing larger student loans when compared to other lawmakers in the Senate. Trey Gowdy has more than $150,000 in student loans which he obtained to finance the education of his child.

Student Indebtedness Is a Fact of Life In America

It is becoming increasingly common to hold significant amounts of student debt in life in America. Presently nearly 70% of students passing out of college are graduating with significant student loans. Research conducted suggests that most of the borrowers expect to be debt-free by the time they are in their 40s.

Former President Barack Obama has spoken earlier about how he, along with the former first lady, were still paying student loans until they were well into their 40s. They had both graduated from college and law school with a significant amount of debt and despite finding good jobs they barely finished paying it off before he was elected as a member of the U.S. Senate.

All Student Loans an Essential Equipment In America?

Considering the high cost of education in America and the fact that the average American is unable to finance his or her education with other means, student loans have become an essential requirement. The easy availability of the funds needed by students is allowing a significant number of American students to obtain the qualifications they need to succeed in life.

Average Americans opting for student loans and thereafter, joining the workforce may perhaps be able to justify the length of time they need to pay off the debts. Most Americans are not paid the princely wages received by Congress members and also need to take on additional debt for other requirements such as homes, vehicles, Etc. They may have a difficult time balancing their finances but it certainly wouldn’t be the same as an individual who has a net worth of millions but is still holding on to his or her student debt.

]]>You will be Shocked to Know that THESE Celebrities can Influence the Stock Market!http://thefinancialmag.com/trade-markets/will-shocked-know-celebrities-can-influence-stock-market
Tue, 03 Sep 2019 02:14:32 +0000http://thefinancialmag.com/?p=37560Not too long ago, Kim Kardashian West took to Twitter to report the untimely death not that of a family member, as all members of the Kardashian-Jenner clans are in good health. Kim’s meltdown was due to the demise and unavailability of her beloved Blackberry Bold. It was 2014 when Kim stockpiled Blackberry’s 2011 phone […]

]]>Not too long ago, Kim Kardashian West took to Twitter to report the untimely death not that of a family member, as all members of the Kardashian-Jenner clans are in good health. Kim’s meltdown was due to the demise and unavailability of her beloved Blackberry Bold.

It was 2014 when Kim stockpiled Blackberry’s 2011 phone due to her being swept away by its tactile keyboard. But the phone was unavailable on eBay and Blackberry could not offer her a suitable replacement. The company confirmed earlier that year that they would focus on Android phones, and refrain from releasing a newer version.

The Oprah Effect?

Some not-so-good news for Kim turned into very good news for the investors in Blackberry when their shares traded slightly higher ($7.78) on the day of Kim’s public meltdown.

Kardashian’s crisis may be the most recent, but is far from being the most profound example of celebrities influencing stock markets. In October, 2015, Oprah Winfrey announced buying a 10% stake in Weight Watchers. The media magnate invested her own $43 million in buying new stock shares, lauding the popular diet company for showing her a very sensible way of managing and controlling her weight. Soon after this announcement, investors saw their stock value increase 92% within only a few days. By the end November 2015, the stock value was worth $27.76 per share, a 279% increase from the low point of $6.79, before Winfrey’s announcement.

Can Tweets affect Wall Street!

Celebrity involvement with brands is not new and celebrity testimonials influence almost everything from the cars we drive to the music we listen to, and it does not shock us to know that the same effect would continue for the stock market. Even a simple tweet from an influencer may affect stock prices, sending brand-new investors jumping into day trading. What do finance pros learn from such anecdotes? A social media existence is not optional today and it’s almost a requirement nowadays to legitimize and expose yourself to this digital world, and also hand you some competitive advantage. If you use social media strictly to broadcast content, you miss out on major opportunities to develop relationships and stay abreast of social trends in the media and also the stock market.

Forbes published a list of Twitter’s most followed celebrities last year with Katy Perry topping the list, with 71.4 million followers and since then, she has accumulated around 20 million. Kardashian West also has half that following, with only 47.1 million. Any involvement from such powerful influencers could cause investments to sky-rocket for investors lucky enough to hold those investments, before that critical tweet.

Getting into the game

Finance professionals cannot predict correctly every market fluctuation perpetrated by celebrity influences on social media, but they can ensure staying on top of trends to explain jumps and dips in the market or predict having reached a high point. In 2013, Daniel Gross suggested that when celebrities begin talking about stocks, it is time to start walking away from the market. His proof being yet another Kardashian tale. In 2012, Kim Kardashian re-tweeted an article which predicted Apple becoming the most valuable company in history. Weeks later, the stock began an inexplicable 37% downward slide, effectively losing its spot as the most valuable company in history in a matter of a few weeks. What we can learn is that celebrity product endorsements are good but celebrity stock advice equals a sure disaster!

]]>These Luxury Yachts are Nothing Like Any Ship You’ve Seen Beforehttp://thefinancialmag.com/lifestyle/luxury-yachts-nothing-like-ship-youve-seen
Mon, 02 Sep 2019 03:17:07 +0000http://thefinancialmag.com/?p=37888There are certain new cruise ships with unique amenities, high technology design features as well as exciting itineraries that many will definitely find intriguing. Before deciding where to spend your next vacation, you could seriously consider any of these new ships: Viking Orion Viking Orion is a luxury 930-passenger cruiser with amazing staterooms which all have […]

]]>There are certain new cruise ships with unique amenities, high technology design features as well as exciting itineraries that many will definitely find intriguing. Before deciding where to spend your next vacation, you could seriously consider any of these new ships:

Viking Orion

Viking Orion is a luxury 930-passenger cruiser with amazing staterooms which all have verandas. The ship has a unique connection to exploration and space as cruisers enjoy lectures as well as stargazing sessions with the ship’s resident astronomer. Also, on this cruise ship, do enjoy the Space Collection Explorations which is a tribute to the Gemini and Apollo astronauts.

Symphony of the Seas

The Symphony of the Seas is the latest cruiser owned by Royal Caribbean and is the largest cruise ship in the world with over 2,800 rooms. It has innovative high technology entertainment that includes Flight: Dare to Dream – a show incorporating 3D flying tech. There is also Battle for Planet Z and its Bionic Bar has robotic bartenders. Those preferring a splendid family vacation, can book the 1,346-square-foot, two-level Ultimate Family Suite which accommodates 8 guests. The Symphony also features a LEGO wall from the floor to the ceiling, private cinema, in-suite slide and a personal Royal Genie, able to make all wishes come true.

Avalon Saigon

Avalon Saigon is the latest cruiser having 18 suites, of Avalon Waterways and cruises down the Mekong River and can sail directly between Ho Chi Minh city, Pnomh Penh and Siem Reap in Cambodia. You experience close views of everyday life in Mekong Delta directly from individual suites with sliding glass doors or from the open-air ship deck. The cruise offers deep excursions in Cambodia and Vietnam, with genuine regional cuisines and complimentary wines.

Celebrity Edge

The latest addition to the fleet of Celebrity Cruise is Celebrity Edge, the first of the Edge Class cruise ships. Celebrity Edge redefines contemporary luxury, incorporating the latest technology with a touch screen for controlling ambient temperature, in-room lighting, and to order services. There’s fun with onboard experiences and live performances at the cruise Theater. ‘The Magic Carpet’ is the first cantilevered platform with seating, performance space and a bar, allowing people to enjoy fabulous ocean views.

Norwegian Bliss

The latest cruise ship of the Norwegian Cruise Line is Norwegian Bliss, which successfully accommodates 4004 passengers including kids. It has 16 cocktail lounges, wine bars, breweries and also nightly musicals, parties, and themed shows, the Mandala Spa as well as an Observation Lounge which provides panoramic views.

MS Nieuw Statendam

The latest vessel of Holland America, accommodates 2,666 passengers. The interior inspiration is from musical instruments’ curves and also serves as home to an art collection featuring 150 widely acclaimed artists. It provides exciting experiences such as BBC Earth Experiences’ educational programming and is home to BLEND (by Chateau Ste Michelle) where you learn to personally blend your own wine.

Seabourn Ovation

This luxury boat can comfortably accommodate 600 passengers onboard and is their latest fleet addition. Seabourn is committed to provide cruise passengers with extra-luxurious cruising experiences, once they step onto this cruise ship. It has cabins with chilled champagne available throughout the cruise, fresh fruits and a fridge stocked with excellent beverages. With 5 dining venues, the ship offers superb cuisine such as Caesar salad to complement seafood and steak and many international dishes.

]]>Airline Tickets: How to Save Money on Themhttp://thefinancialmag.com/ecommerce-lifestyle/airline-tickets-save-money
Fri, 30 Aug 2019 01:10:59 +0000http://thefinancialmag.com/?p=33047If you aren’t acquainted with how flight tickets are priced and the explanations behind them, they can be costly. There are all sorts of ways you can save money when the time comes to purchase your flight tickets. You might book them far in advance, select crappy seats, or subject yourself to several hours’ worth […]

]]>If you aren’t acquainted with how flight tickets are priced and the explanations behind them, they can be costly. There are all sorts of ways you can save money when the time comes to purchase your flight tickets. You might book them far in advance, select crappy seats, or subject yourself to several hours’ worth of layovers at assorted airports. Although not every option sounds particularly inviting, once you get where you are going, you’ll be satisfied it got so cheap to get there. Here are some surefire ways to help you save a bit of cash.

Timely booking

One good way to economize and guarantee your spot on a flight is to order ahead. If you hold out for less expensive tickets for too much time, you may not be able to get on a plane and be forced to loiter at the airfield until another flight has an empty seat. Booking ahead is also one of the best methods to guarantee you can fly, especially during the holidays and other peak travel dates. Oddly enough, the opposite is also true—that is to say, booking at the very last minute. This is because airlines normally aim for full capacity, so if flights are not full by this time, they will be scrambling to unload seats, which means cheaper flights for stragglers. This is not at all a sure thing, however, so it’s still best to err on the side of caution and book early. But for those last minute flight plans, this will do just fine.

Long layovers

You may also agree to wait more hours between transfers to get your airplane tickets reduced to half its price. This is why it always pays to be more flexible about your travel plans as long layovers between flights can reduce airfare significantly.

Unpopular hours

And speaking of flexibility on travel plans, choosing to fly really early in the morning or super late at night will also help you save money. These are called red-eye flights, and normally, they are so incredibly unpopular that airlines will try to unload seats to these flights for a lot less than peak hour flights. As an added benefit, these flights can give you extra time at your destination, so that is really quite a win-win situation.

Seating

You can always get a couple of dollars knocked off your flight tickets with uncomfortable seats. Nobody wants to sit right by the lavatory in the middle of the aisle. You’ll probably be charged a full price for this seat if you are in a group, but if you are flying alone, you could be able to get the rate reduced. Flying coach is also a good way to save money. Of course, business class has it’s own set of perks.

Track flights

If you have a trip planned in advance, it is inevitable that you will be looking at flights repeatedly. It is, therefore, a good idea to make use of a flight tracking tool such as Google Flights to keep tabs on airfare rates. This is because airfare tends to fluctuate from time to time, so it is definitely helpful to know when this happens in order to get first dibs on good rates. This beats having to check daily or even hourly.

Travel apps

Travel apps and websites like Kayak and Skyscanner are great sources of cheap travel deals. However, did you know that there are other lesser known sites and apps that offer even better prices? This is because updates on these apps and sites often go under the radar, so they are easily overlooked, even when the deal is as good as gold. Some great examples are Skiplagged, The Flight Deal, and ITA Matrix.

More connections

Going straight from A to B is full-priced, but it is cheaper if you have to make stops along the path. So consider going for flights with one or two connections, especially if you are not at all pressed for time. It might sound inconvenient at first, but really, it is not so bad, especially if you really love traveling. You will be absolutely fine so long as you’ve got something to amuse you.

Indeed, airline tickets do not have to cost an arm and a leg. With a little shrewdness, some flexibility, and a great deal of patience, cheap airfares are definitely well within your reach.

]]>Celebrity Parenting Hacks Revealed: Some of These are Just Brilliant – Part Ihttp://thefinancialmag.com/lifestyle/celebrity-parenting-hacks-revealed-just-brilliant-part
Wed, 28 Aug 2019 03:06:25 +0000http://thefinancialmag.com/?p=36095That parenting is tough work is not the best-kept secret especially in those awful early years when parents are sleep-deprived and wild-eyed every morning and frantic with worry. It is really overwhelming especially for first-timers and parents can always use all help they can secure while raising their children. After all the life of a child is […]

]]>That parenting is tough work is not the best-kept secret especially in those awful early years when parents are sleep-deprived and wild-eyed every morning and frantic with worry. It is really overwhelming especially for first-timers and parents can always use all help they can secure while raising their children. After all the life of a child is really enviable, with the parents working hard to ensure that the kids remain in bliss.

From on-time feed and meals to baths, potty training, play dates and play time, school… the list of increasing responsibilities the parents take on, is infinite and that is for just one kid. Multiply that by two or three if you have more kids! Contrary to what you may believe, celebrities are not spared from the hectic joys and frantic pace of life that is thrust upon them hen they become parent. Granted they usually hire help with their homes and kids, but they still want to be there to raise their kids. By doing so, they came up with some amazing advice, which they want to share with you. So here it goes…

KRISTEN BELL – CAR SAFETY TRICK

Kristin Bell doles out tons of parenting advice after becoming a mom. Our absolute favorite has to be the one about keeping her kids safe as they get out of the car. ‘Hands on the circle’ is what she says when they jump out of the car. Invented by her sister-in-law, it keeps the kids from harms way from the oncoming traffic while the parent can get down from the car, unload the trunk and then get the kids. A neat solution!

SARAH MICHELLE GELLAR – ‘PAY ME BACK’ PLAN

Actress-turned-entrepreneur Sarah Michelle Gellar has a truly awesome hack for ensuring that her kids do not waste drinks or food, as she makes her kids pay up for items wasted! Her daughter would regularly ask for a cup of milk but leave it idle, not drinking it. So Sarah told her that a quarter would be removed from her piggy bank every time she took milk but did not drink it. Someone had to pay for the wasted milk!

MELISSA JOAN HART – LEGO BLOCKS HACK

Hard to believe that actress Melissa Joan Hart is mom to three boys, so rest assured she has some amazing hacks to make her parenting tasks a tad easier. For instance, her Lego trick, is instructive as she uses a plastic jewelry organizer hanger to hold separate and different Lego kits. Through the transparent packaging, her kids know which piece lies where, so they do not have to dump out the container to get one block. They even have fun putting them away later!

BUSY PHILIPPS – POSITIVE SIBLING RIVALRY

Friendly competition between sisters could never hurt anybody especially when it encourages children to eat their vegetables. Actress Busy Philips uses that strategy with her two young girls Cricket and Birdie. For instance, she comments that Cricket was probably going to finish her carrots up first but then Birdie would try to out-race her. That way both the girls finish their veggies. A great little trick when you have a pair of competitive and picky eaters in your house!